Katoomba CBD will host a family-friendly micro music festival in 2018 and organisers are looking for local acts for the event.

Katoomba Live and Local will be a free event held at Civic Place, Big Beet and the Art Gallery Precinct on Katoomba Street on April 7, 2018.

Blue Mountains Mayor Councillor Mark Greenhill has urged local musicians to submit an expression of interest to perform at the event.

“Council is thrilled about receiving funding from the Western Sydney Live and Local Strategic Initiative, through Create NSW, to host a live, local and grassroots event in Katoomba’s CBD next year,” Cr Greenhill said.

“The Live and Local initiative is about the local community working together to create vibrant and innovative entertainment, for everyone to enjoy.”

Musicians are required to perform 45 minute sets at the event and will be paid $150 each member. Choirs and school performers are also welcome and will be paid a one-off donation of $150.

Artists must reside in the Blue Mountains local government area, or have a minimum of 50 per cent of their members as residents. Musicians will be selected to ensure participation from a broad section of the Blue Mountains community including youth, Aboriginal, multicultural, people living with disabilities, as well as equal representation in gender.

Council and the Katoomba Live and Local committee have engaged event organiser Meg Benson, of Music Hunter, to match musicians from diverse genres with the participating venues.

“This model is based on wonderful evidence (by Dr Dave Carter in The Economic and Cultural Value of Live Music in Australia 2014) that live music dollars boost the Australian economy, three times over,” Ms Benson said.

“Food and drink is the number one expense for those attending live music, so the benefits for venues and business owners is clear.”

A workshop will be held at the Mountains Youth Services Team (MYST) on Tuesday Wednesday, January 16-17, 2018 for musicians under 25 who want assistance with preparing a submission for the expression of interest. This includes getting an ABN, producing quality photos and music videos and compiling written music descriptions.

To submit an expression of interest to perform at the event, or to participate in the MYST promo workshop, go to www.katoombaliveandlocal.com.au. Entries must be submitted by January 25, 2018. Successful applicants will be announced on January 30. For more information contact Meg Benson at meg@katoombaliveandlocal.com.au.